Spray gun with replaceable cartridges

ABSTRACT

A handheld spray gun accommodating a removable cartridge insert and a combined aspirator-piercing element for piercing the cartridge and permitting the contents thereof to flow by aspirating means through the nozzle of the spray gun when water under pressure is transmitted through said spray gun.

309, 310, 315x, 317, 379, 526X, 424x, 433, 569; 222/95, 82, 88, 5, 193;23/272.7, 267; 128/173.l

United States Patent 1111 ,55 5

[72] Inventor Thomas F. DMuhala [56] References Cited Exeter Road,Lebanon, Conn. 06249 UNITED STATES PATENTS [211 P 776,176 1,811,5726/1931 AiieS 239/308 [221 Flled 3,197,144 7/1965 Kochner 239/308 [451Patented 1 ,19 1 3,203,592 8/1965 Farandatos... 222/5 3,255,824 6/1966Rodgers 169/31 Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King 54 SPRAY GUN WITHREPLACEABLE CARTRIDGES Amman Emmme'Gel 1e Church 13 Claims, 8 DrawingFigs. Attorney-l. Jordan Kumk 52 -U.S. c1 2391309,

222/193, 239/315, 239/424, 239/433, 239/526, ABSTRACT: A handheld spraygun accommodating a 239/569 removable cartridge insert and a combinedaspirator-piercing [51] Int. Cl B05b 7/30 element for piercing thecartridge and permitting the contents [501 Field of Search 239/308,thereof to flow by aspirating means through the nozzle of the spray gunwhen water under pressure is transmitted through said spray gun.

SPRAY GUN WITH REPLACEABLE CARTRIDGES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention This invention relates to spray apparatus and,more particularly, to a handheld spray gun which accommodates removable,pierceable, cartridges containing various types of solids, suspensions,solutions, or other liquids that are suitable for such purposes asfertilizers, weed killers, automobile washing and waxing materials,engine cleaners, .concrete and driveway cleaners, and the like. Thespray gun is attachable to a source of a fluid medium such as water orgas under pressure whereby the contents of the cartridge are mixed withthe water in the nozzle of the spray gun and then emitted upon theobject to be treated.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various types of spray devices,dispensers, and cartridgepiercing devices have been disclosed in thefollowing US. Pats, for example: 1,811,572; 1,814,573; 2,337,149;2,394,415; 2,536,221; 2,593,552; 2,761,562; 2,907,528; 3,162,194 and3,255,824. None of these patents disclose the combination of featuresthat are embraced within the present invention. Some of the prior artdevices are not conveniently held in the hand; other devices are notcapable of metering the flow of the contents of the cartridge to acontrolled degree; and still other devices do not provide forthe properaspiration of the cartridge contents nor the proper mixing of thecantridge contents with the fluid under pressure before being emittedfrom the spray gun nozzle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a nozzled spraygun which the cartridge body or cap to act as a seal between thecartridge housing portion of the spray gun and the nozzle portionthereof. The cartridge body is pierced by a hollow needle or the likewhen a threadable cap is closed upon the spray gun housing. The threadedcap urges the cartridge body into the sealing position sothat theconveying medium under pressure supplied to the spray gun housing issealed ofi from the nozzle portion of the spray gun until the'operatorchooses to retract the spray gun cap, at which time a spring elementcauses the retraction of the cartridge from its sealing position.Thereafter, the cartridge contents are aspirated by the action of themedium flowing from the cartridge housing into and through the nozzle ofthe spray gun. Still further means are provided for equalizing thepressure between the interior and exterior of the cartridge whereby.aspiration of the contents of the cartridge is facilitated when thewater under pressure flows through the nozzle portion of the spray gun.

By providing replaceable cartridges of uniform size filled withdifferent types of materials, a householder with a single spray gun isenabled to perform a variety of tasks such as fertilizing a garden,weeding a lawn, washing and polishing his automobile, cleaning thesidewalks and driveways, washing aluminum siding, and the like.

Each replaceable, disposable cartridge is filled with a sufficientamount of material that is designed for the particular job and which hasa sufficient quantity to fulfill the average householder's requirements.In the case of greater requirements, additional disposable cartridgesmay be utilized.

The handheld spray gun is made of a strong and tough plastic materialthat is virtually indestructible and will withstand long usage. Thespray gun is conveniently connectable to a garden hose which suppliesthe water as a medium BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is avertical central cross section view, partly in elevation and partlybroken away, of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present inventionwith the cartridge inserted in a position prior to the operation of saidapparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1 showing the manner inwhich the rear cap and the cartridge are in the retracted position foroperation of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4; Y

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end view of another embodiment of the cartridge and asection view of the piercing element illustrating another embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section view of a portion of the deviceembodying auxiliary sealing means, some parts being omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT integrally molded, spaced apartrounded bosses 17 to form between them finer recesses to serve as aconvenient hand grip for the operator of the apparatus. The interior ofthe lower end portion of the handle 13 is threaded at 18 to accommodatethe correspondingly threaded fitting 19 of a garden hose 20, or thelike, for supplying a flow of water under pressurethrough channel 16 ofhandle 13 into chamber 14 of housing 12. An O-ring 21 of resilientmaterial such as rubber or the like is provided at the interior end ofthreading 18 to form-a suitable liquidtight seal for the couplingbetween handle l3 and hose 20.

Where desired or required, it is possible to interpose an adapter, notshown but commercially available, between threading l8 and fitting 19,said adapter incorporating an on" off valve to permit the operator toshut off or turn on the water supply at will from hose 20.

The rear end portion of housing 12 threadably accommodates a removablecircular end cap 22. The outer surface of cylinder housing 12 has anannular recess 23 which accommodates O-ring 24 which provides aliquidtight seal between the interior wall of cap 22 and the surface ofcylinder housing 12. The forward end of cylinder housing 12 terminatesin an integrally fonned tapered nozzle 26 at the outer tip of which isformed a narrow flat slot 27, said slot being aligned either verticallyor horizontally, as may be required or desired.

Nozzle 26 encloses an aspirating chamber 28 which accommodates, byfriction .fit, a support ring 29 whose forward peripheral area bearsagainst an interior annular shoulder 31 formed in the interior of nozzle26. Ring 29 has at least one or a plurality of apertures 32 whichpermits fluid to flow from the rear to the forward portion of nozzle 26.

Mounted securely in, or formed integrally with, the center portion ofring 29, is a combination hollow aspirator piercing element, the forwardaspirator portion 33 of which extends longitudinally and axially withinnozzle 26 and terminates a short distance behind slot 27. The rearwardpiercing needle portion 34 extends rearwardly toward and partially intochamber 14 of housing 12. Both aspirator 33 and needle 34 which is to bemixed with the cartridge contents within the have a common longitudinalaxial channel 36 that extends from one end to the other of theaspirator-piercing combination which may be formed of a unitary tubemade of aluminum, steel, or other suitable metal or a durable plasticsuch as nylon. At its rear end, piercing portion 34 has a beveledterminus 37 which provides a sharp needle point 38 whose function willbe described hereinafter. The rear portion of piercing portion 34 alsohas on the surface thereof one or more longitudinal recessed grooves 39and 40 whose function will also be described hereinafter. See FIG. 5.

Removably accommodated within chamber 14 of cylinder housing 12 is acylindrical cartridge 14 made of a suitable metal or plastic materialsuch as nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or the like. Saidcartridge41 is axially aligned and spatially maintained within chamber14 by means of integrally formed, inwardly extending, radially spacedlongitudinal centering ribs 42 which are at least three in number. Ifonly three ribs 42 are provided, they are radially spaced approximately120 apart.

Cartridge 41 maybe filledwith any one of a number of solids,suspensions, solutions, or other fluid materials, including suchsubstances as waxing products, washing ,products, lawn fertilizers, weedkillers, driveway cleaners, engine cleaners, and automobile cleaners andpolishers.

OPERATION With cap 22 removed from housing 12, cartridge4l is insertedinto chamber 14 after which said cap is threadably closed to bearagainst the rear end of said cartridge whereby the latter moves forwardin said chamber to the extent that forward wall 43 of said cartridge ispierced by needle point 38 producing an aperture 44 in said .end wallthat moves over needle 34. The rotation of cap 22 is continued to causeend wall 43 to be urged against annular shoulder 46 formed at thejuncture between chamber 14 and chamber 28.The firm abutment of end wall43, which is somewhat flexible, against annular shoulder 46 provides aliquidtight seal between chamber 14 and chamber 28. By virtue of thisliquidtight seal, water flowing up through channel 16 in handle 13 andinto chamber 14 will be prevented from entering nozzle chamber 28.

the interior of cartridge 41 is drawn through the common channel 36 ofneedle element 34 and aspirator element 33 by aspirating action. Thewater and cartridge contents become blended in a mixing area 49 betweenslot 27 and the forward end of aspirating element 33 after which themixture" is discharged or projected through slot 27 in the direction ofthe subject to be treated in accordance-with thetoperators handling ofthe spray gun apparatus. 1 r Grooves 39 and 40 in piercing elementMperform the function of equalizing pressure obtaining both.onv theinterior and exterior of cartridge 41 whereby the aspirating action cantake place for the flow of the contents.48'of cartridge 41 throughchannel 36. q' T Q.

In some embodiments, grooves 39 and 40, of needle element 34 may beomitted by utilizing a cartridge 41 that'is made of a rigid moldedmaterial such as propylene. As shown in FlG fl, said cartridge 51 has aforward end wall 52 in which is formed a mold line 53 produced by heatsealing or the like. When said mold line 53 is pierced by needle element34,'said end wal lis split slightly on said mold line to produce anaperture 54611 one side or both sides of needle 34, which permitspressure equalization to occur between the interior and exterior ofcartridge 51 whereby the aspirating action is facilitated.

As shown in FIG. 1, piercing needle element 34 substan- The apparatus isnow ready for operation, at which time water under pressure isintroduced into channel 16 and thence into chamber 14 of housing 12. Theliquidtight abutment of end wall 43 against annular shoulder 46 servesas a closure valve to prevent water in chamber 14 from flowing intonozzle chamber 28.

Thereafter, cap 22 is rotated manually so that it moves rearwardly fromhousing 12 as shown in FIG. 4. A coil spring 47 encircling needleelement 34 is located in chamber 14, one end of said spring bearingagainst the rear wall of ring 29, and the other end bearing against theforward end wall 43 of cartridge 41. When cap 22 is partially retractedfrom housing 12, the action of spring 47, previously compressed as inFIG. 1, causes the rearward movement of cartridge 41 (FIGS. 4 and 5).whereby the forward end wall of cartridge 41 becomes located in theregion of grooves 39 and 40. A suitable mark The embodiment shown inFIG. 7 enables the operator to meter the flow or output from slot 27 ofnozzle 26 by determining the extent to which theforward end wall 52 isretracted from shoulder 46in accordance with the distanceto which cap 22is threadably retracted from housing 12. Thus, the forward end wall 52of cartridge 51 acts as a valve in relation to annular shoulder 46 whichacts asa valve seat, whereby the quantity or speed of flow of water fromhousing chamber 14 into nozzle chamber 28 and thence through slot 27 iscon;

trolled as maybe desired or required. The farther that cartridge 51 ispermitted to become retracted from shoulder 46, the greater will be thevolume and speed of the flow ofthe spray mixture from nozzle slot 27,assuming sufficient fluid pressure is provided from hose20. L

As shown in FIG. 8, for example, it is sometimes advantageous to providean O-ring 56 interposed between ,the forward end wall 52 of cartridge 51and end wall 46 within housing 12, said O-ring being made of a resilientcompressible material such as rubber or the like which will yieldablycooperate with the peripheral area of the forward end wall to provide aliquidtight seal when cap 22 is threadably rotated to cause thecartridge to move towards said shoulder. Said resilient O-ring 56 willserve to conform to any possible irregularity in shape of the forwardend wall of the cartridge and of shoulder 46 so that a liquidtight sealwill be ensured.

In some embodiments, equalization of pressure between th interior andexterior of cartridge 41 may be facilitated bythe incorporation of aneedle element 61 mounted on the interior of cap 22. See FIG. 4. Bypuncturing the-rear end of cartridge 41, needle 61 produces a sufficientaperture around. its periphery in the rear end wall of said cartridge toprovide for equalization of pressure. It is also noted that when needleelement 34 punctures the front end wall of cartridge 41, even thoughthere may not be a mold line therein, a sufficient opening is formed insaid end wall around the periphery of said needle element to provide forequalization of pressure between the interior and exterior ofthecartridge. It is also to be noted may be scored on the outer surface ofhousing 12 to serve as an index with which the tubular end of cap 22maybe aligned that'the exit slot or opening 27 may be other than,rectangular in shape as, for example, oval or circular, or whatevershape. is desired or required to produce the necessary spray patternemitted by the gun.

Although the present invention has been :described with reference toparticular embodiments and examples, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that variations and modifications can be substitutedtherefor without departing from the principles and truespirit of theinvention. e I

I claim:

1. A spray gun comprising a housing, a nozzle on said housing, an exitslot at the outer end ofv said nozzle, a cartridge chamber in-saidhousing, a-nozzle chamber in said nozzle axially aligned with saidcartridge chamber, an aspirator needle element mounted between saidcartridge chamber and said nozzle chamber, said element being axiallyaligned within said housing and having a unitary axial channel therein,the aspirator portion of said element extending within said nozzlechamber and termin ting near said slot, said needle portion extendingpartially into said cartridge chamber, a threadable cap on the rear endof said cartridge chamber, an annular shoulder formed in said housingbetween said cartridge chamber and said nozzle chamber, a spring mountedat the juncture between said nozzle and cartridge chambers and extendingpartially into said cartridge chamber, a tubular cartridge movablelongitudinally within said cartridge chamber, said cartridge being urgedinto firm abutment with said annular shoulder against the action of saidspring by the threading engagement of said cap with said housing, saidaction causing said needle portion to pierce the forward end wall ofsaid cartridge to enter into the interior thereof, and a tubular handleelement on said housing, the interior channel of said handlecommunicating with the interior of said housing whereby fluid flowingfrom said handle into said housing flows thereafter into said noule whensaid cartridge is retracted from said shoulder. v

2. A spray gun according to claim 1 and further comprising means at theend of said handle for attaching a pipe connected to a suitable sourceof water under pressure.

3. A spray gun according to claim 1 wherein the aspirator portion ofsaid element terminates a short distance behind said slot within saidnozzle and wherein fluid under pressure is caused to flow from saidhousing and through said nozzle whereby said fluid mixes with thecontents of said cartridge in the area between the end of said aspiratorportion and said slot before said mixture is emitted from said slot.

4. A spray gun comprising a housing, a nozzle on said housing, acartridge removably inserted into said housing, means between saidhousing and said nozzle to puncture and enter the interior of saidcartridge to provide a channel for the contents of said cartridge toflow by aspiration through said puncturing means into said nozzle,pressure means for causing said cartridge to move into a position whereit makes a liquidtight seal between said housing and said nozzle,biasing means causing said cartridge to move away from said sealingposition when said pressure means are retracted, and means forintroducing liquid under pressure into said housing around saidcartridge and to flow into and out of said nozzle when said cartridge isretracted.

5. A spray gun according to claim 4 and further comprising grooved meanson said puncturing means to equalize pressure on the interior andexterior of said cartridge to permit the contents of said cartridge toflow into said nozzle when said cartridge is retracted to a suitabledistance from said sealing position.

6. A spray gun according to claim 4 wherein said cartridge is made of asufficiently stiff material whereby the puncturing thereof by saidpuncturing means produces at least one aperture in said cartridge bywhich pressure is equalized between the interior and exterior of saidcartridge to permit the contents thereof to flow into' said nozzle.

7. A spray gun according to claim 4. and further comprising a handle onsaid housing, the interior of said handle communicating with theinterior of said housing, said handle being attachable to a source offluid under pressure.

8. A spray gun according to claim 4 and further comprising a pluralityof inwardly extending longitudinal ridges on the interior walls of saidhousing, said ridges supporting said cartridge in a spaced relationshipto the interior walls of said cartridge to permit fluid flow around saidcartridge.

9. A spray gun according to claim 4 and further comprising a yieldable,resilient O-ring interposed between said cartridge and said housing,said pressure means causing said cartridge to be urged against saidO-ring to produce a watertight seal between said cartridge and saidhousing.

10. A spray gun according to claim wherein said puncturing meanscomprises a support mounted in the area between said housing and saidnozzle, at least one aperture in said support to permit fluid flow fromthe interior of said housing into the interior of said nozzle, a hollowpuncturing element on said support extending at least partially intosaid housing, an aspirating tube on said support extending toward theexit end of said nozzle, said hollow puncturing element and saidaspirating tube having a common unitary channel, the flow of water underpressure from the interiorof the housing through the interior of saidnozzle causing the movement by aspiration of the contents of saidcartridge through said puncturing element and said aspirating tube, saidfluid and said contents being mixed in said nozzle just prior toemerging therefrom.

11. A spray gun comprising a housing, a nozzle on said housing, means insaid housing for removably accommodating a cartridge, means in saidhousing for piercing said cartridge, aspirator means connected tosaid'piercing means for conducting the contents of said cartridgethrough said nozzle. a unitary channel in said piercing and aspiratingmeans, and means for transmitting fluid under pressure through saidnozzle to produce the aspirating action through said aspirator andpiercing means whereby said fluid and the contents of said cartridge aremixed before being discharged from said nozzle.

12. A spray gun comprising a housing, a nozzle on said housing, means insaid housing'for removably accommodating a cartridge, means in saidhousing for piercing said cartridge to equalize the pressure between theinterior and exterior of said cartridge, aspirator means mounted in saidhousing for conducting the contents of said cartridge through saidnozzle, and means for transmitting fluid under pressure through saidnozzle to produce the aspirating action through said aspirator wherebysaid fluid and the contents of said cartridge are mixed before beingdischarged from said nozzle.

13. A spray gun comprising a housing, a nozzle on said housing, means insaid housing for removably accommodating a cartridge, means forconducting the contents of said cartridge into the interior of saidnozzle, means for transmitting fluid under pressure into said nozzle andto mix said fluid with the contents of said cartridge within said nozzlebefore said mixture is discharged therefrom.

1. A spray gun comprising a housing, a nozzle on said housing, an exitslot at the outer end of said nozzle, a cartridge chamber in saidhousing, a nozzle chamber in said nozzle axially aligned with saidcartridge chamber, an aspirator needle element mounted between saidcartridge chamber and said nozzle chamber, said element being axiallyaligned within said housing and having a unitary axial channel therein,the aspirator portion of said element extending within said nozzlechamber and terminating near said slot, said needle portion extendingpartially into said cartridge chamber, a threadable cap on the rear endof said cartridge chamber, an annular shoulder formed in said housingbetween said cartridge chamber and said nozzle chamber, a spring mountedat the juncture between said nozzle and cartridge chambers and extendingpartially into said cartridge chamber, a tubular cartridge movablelongitudinally within said cartridge chamber, said cartridge being urgedinto firm abutment with said annular shoulder against the action of saidspring by the threading engagement of said cap with said housing, saidaction causing said needle portion to pierce the forward end wall ofsaid cartridge to enter into the interior thereof, and a tubular handleelement on said housing, the interior channel of said handlecommunicating with the interior of said housing whereby fluid flowingfrom said handle into said housing flows thereafter into said nozzlewhen said cartridge is retracted from said shoulder.
 2. A spray gunaccording to claim 1 and further comprising means at the end of saidhandle for attaching a pipe connected to a suitable source of waterunder pressure.
 3. A spray gun according to claim 1 wherein theaspirator portion of said element terminates a short distance behindsaid slot within said nozzle and wherein fluid under pressure is causedto flow from said housing and through said nozzle whereby said fluidmixes with the contents of said cartridge in the area between the end ofsaid aspirator portion and said slot before said mixture is emitted fromsaid slot.
 4. A spray gun comprising a housing, a nozzle on saidhousing, a cartridge removably inserted into said housing, means betweensaid housing and said nozzle to puncture and enter the interior of saidcartridge to provide a channel for the contents of said cartridge toflow by aspiration through said puncturing means into said nozzle,pressure means for causing said cartridge to move into a position whereit makes a liquidtight seal between said housing and said nozzle,biasing means causing said cartridge to move away from said sealingposition when said pressure means are retracted, and means forintroducing liquid under pressure into said housing around saidcartridge and to flow into and out of said nozzle when said cartridge isretracted.
 5. A spray gun according to claim 4 and further comprisinggrooved means on said puncturing means to equalize pressure on theinterior and exterior of said cartridge to permit the contents of saidcartridge to flow into said nozzle when Said cartridge is retracted to asuitable distance from said sealing position.
 6. A spray gun accordingto claim 4 wherein said cartridge is made of a sufficiently stiffmaterial whereby the puncturing thereof by said puncturing meansproduces at least one aperture in said cartridge by which pressure isequalized between the interior and exterior of said cartridge to permitthe contents thereof to flow into said nozzle.
 7. A spray gun accordingto claim 4 and further comprising a handle on said housing, the interiorof said handle communicating with the interior of said housing, saidhandle being attachable to a source of fluid under pressure.
 8. A spraygun according to claim 4 and further comprising a plurality of inwardlyextending longitudinal ridges on the interior walls of said housing,said ridges supporting said cartridge in a spaced relationship to theinterior walls of said cartridge to permit fluid flow around saidcartridge.
 9. A spray gun according to claim 4 and further comprising ayieldable, resilient O-ring interposed between said cartridge and saidhousing, said pressure means causing said cartridge to be urged againstsaid O-ring to produce a watertight seal between said cartridge and saidhousing.
 10. A spray gun according to claim 4 wherein said puncturingmeans comprises a support mounted in the area between said housing andsaid nozzle, at least one aperture in said support to permit fluid flowfrom the interior of said housing into the interior of said nozzle, ahollow puncturing element on said support extending at least partiallyinto said housing, an aspirating tube on said support extending towardthe exit end of said nozzle, said hollow puncturing element and saidaspirating tube having a common unitary channel, the flow of water underpressure from the interior of the housing through the interior of saidnozzle causing the movement by aspiration of the contents of saidcartridge through said puncturing element and said aspirating tube, saidfluid and said contents being mixed in said nozzle just prior toemerging therefrom.
 11. A spray gun comprising a housing, a nozzle onsaid housing, means in said housing for removably accommodating acartridge, means in said housing for piercing said cartridge, aspiratormeans connected to said piercing means for conducting the contents ofsaid cartridge through said nozzle, a unitary channel in said piercingand aspirating means, and means for transmitting fluid under pressurethrough said nozzle to produce the aspirating action through saidaspirator and piercing means whereby said fluid and the contents of saidcartridge are mixed before being discharged from said nozzle.
 12. Aspray gun comprising a housing, a nozzle on said housing, means in saidhousing for removably accommodating a cartridge, means in said housingfor piercing said cartridge to equalize the pressure between theinterior and exterior of said cartridge, aspirator means mounted in saidhousing for conducting the contents of said cartridge through saidnozzle, and means for transmitting fluid under pressure through saidnozzle to produce the aspirating action through said aspirator wherebysaid fluid and the contents of said cartridge are mixed before beingdischarged from said nozzle.
 13. A spray gun comprising a housing, anozzle on said housing, means in said housing for removablyaccommodating a cartridge, means for conducting the contents of saidcartridge into the interior of said nozzle, means for transmitting fluidunder pressure into said nozzle and to mix said fluid with the contentsof said cartridge within said nozzle before said mixture is dischargedtherefrom.